Filippo Smaldone

Filippo Smaldone

San Filippo Smaldone
Born 27 July 1848
Naples, Italy
Died 4 June 1923 (aged 74)
Lecce, Italy
Venerated in Roman Catholic Church
Beatified 8 May 1996, Vatican by John Paul II
Canonized October 15, 2006, Vatican by Pope Benedict XVI
Feast 4 June

Saint Filippo Smaldone (July 27, 1848 – June 4, 1923) is a saint in the Roman Catholic Church. He founded the Salesian Sisters of the Sacred Hearts and is known for his work with the deaf.[1]

Born in Naples, he was ordained a priest in 1871 and during his time in the seminary he began efforts to help the deaf of his native city. He also did work with the sick and nearly died of a plague. He credited his survival to Our Lady of Pompeii. In 1885 he founded an institution for the deaf at Lecce. He went on to work with the blind as well and also orphans before dying at 75 from diabetes related complications.[2]

He was beatified in 1996 by Pope John Paul II and canonized on October 15, 2006, by Pope Benedict XVI.

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